Reasonable and good food

The Taitu Hotel is in the oldest stone building in Addis Abeba, rooms are from 200 Birr, there ia also a Skybus booking office, a travel agency etc...They have a very good lunch buffet, i was there in the fasting time before easter, vegetarian only in that time, 65 Birr.

Another supposed cheapie in AA

I stayed there 2 nights in Jan 2008. Everything was full booked around so I decided to try my luck at the Taitu Hotel and it worked.Well, it is not really that good as I was assigned a room in the annexe. The only advantage was that my room had two large windows so it was pretty bright during daytime. That also allowed me to notice all the downside of my room.It was not that clean and the bedsheets were as usual not that neat especially the pillow case (see pic).The double bed was in fact to single put together.The available space withing the room was really limited.Carpet and curtains haven't been cleaned since WWII.I had a TV that did not work.Hot water was plenty but need to leave the tape open for 15 min before getting anything lukewarm.Clean towel were provided daily.I paid 144 birrh and I found that price really expensive for what I got.I guess the room in the main builing are better with a little touch of old fashioned class.

Unique Quality: LocationNice bar/terrasseHuge parking for the ones with their own wheels.

THEY THREW ME OUT! AND NO HOT WATER

Let’s get this over with quickly. This is the oldest hotel in Addis Ababa. It was commissioned to be built by Empress Taitu in 1898. It had no hot water then, and it still doesn’t! Some of it has not been painted, decorated or repaired since then either. The staff hassle you 24/7 to buy a tour yet they ignore you and literally sit down and watch the TV in the middle of the restaurant. Your pleas to get food or drink are never heard over the TV. When they decide to grace you with their presence they are arrogant as hell. Yes, the only rude people in all of Ethiopia work her in this government owned hell hole. Yes, they are government employees. Now you understand. Make a reservation? Get thrown out just like I did when they had a large party. I booked a week and got one night. So, I paid top money for only cold water and got thrown out? YES.

Please do not stay here on principal! They may throw you out with no notice just like me. And it smells.

Unique Quality:Throwing solo guests out if a larger party shows up unexpectedly. Homeless in Addis!

Excellent hotel in Addis

The Hotel Taito was very nice to stay in, and very good price. In the piazza area so close to everything. Has its own compound & internet & restaurant(fine for veggies).Some rooms have little balconies. I would recommend this hotel as it is very good for the price. Its defo not the hilton but you shouldnt be staying in the Hilton in Ethiopia anyway!

In the guesthouse of the Empress

In the Piazza, the Italian area of Addis Abeba, Empress Taitu, the wife of Emperor Menelik, built in 1907 the first governmental hotel for the imperial and governmental guests.

Nowadays it's one of the cheap hotels in this area. There are several buildings in the compound. The old original building looks very nice with its high ceilings, traditional furniture and creaking floors. In this building you can find the restaurant and bar and some spacious rooms. The most rooms are situated in the other buildings annex, with or without private bathrooms.

There is a nice garden and terrace with a nice view at the surrounding mountains.

Directions: In the Piazza area with many cheap hotels, south of the De Gaulle Square.

The oldest hotel in Ethiopia

The Taytu, founded in 1907 and named for Queen Taytu, is the oldest hotel in the whole of Ethiopia. It is certainly showing its age!There are several sections to the hotel, ranging from dirt cheap backpackers accomodation in different buildings, to the original rooms in the main hotel building. If you stay here, spend a little extra for these rooms. Some rooms have views over Addis and balconies. There was talk of the hotel being renovated when we were there in 2001. If this happens or has happened, prices surely have gone up, but I would imagine it would still be an excellent place to stay.